Orissa Villagers Demand 'Arrest' of Snake
Kendrapara, India July. 8 (PTI)
The Hindu: News Update Service
Police in Orissa's Kendrapara District encountered an unusual problem when residents of a village insisted that a case be registered against a snake.
The unconventional public demand came after the reptile caused the death of a 52-year-old man in Barklikhola village early morning on Friday.
Nishikanta Giri died minutes after being bitten by the snake.
After catching the snake and putting it in a cage, the agitated villagers brought it to Ramnagar police outpost and insisted that a case be registered against the reptile.
Perplexed by the demand, the police tried to convince the villagers that action could not be initiated against a snake under the Indian Penal Code. But the crowd refused to accept the police argument.
Finally, police took the snake into "
custody" to ensure that the villagers dispersed.
"
We are planning to hand over the reptile to authorities at the Bhitarkanika National Park," a police official said.